Corrections in the gold foil activation method for determination of neutron beam density

A finite foil thickness and deviation in the cross section from the 1ν law imply corrections in the determination of neutron beam densities by means of foil activation. These corrections, which depend on the neutron velocity distribution, have been examined in general and are given in a specific example for a reactor beam transmitted through a 30 cm Bi filter. The effective cross section differs 0.5% from the capture cross section at 2200 m/s. For a 20 mg/cm2 Au foil the correction for beam attenuation and hardening through the foil is 0.7% and the activity correction is 1.5%.